If you’re trying to figure out how many Warhammer books there are, the short answer is: a lot—and the total depends on which part of Warhammer you mean. The setting spans multiple lines, especially Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Age of Sigmar, each with novels, series, anthologies, and tie-ins published over decades.
Because the franchise is so large and still growing, there isn’t one fixed number that stays true for long. The most useful way to approach it is by breaking the library into categories and then choosing a reading path that fits your interests.
So, how many Warhammer books are there?
There is no single official total that covers every Warhammer novel, novella, anthology, and short-story collection across all sub-settings. Warhammer 40,000 alone includes hundreds of books, and when you add Age of Sigmar, older Warhammer Fantasy titles, and related fiction, the overall count becomes even larger.
Why the number is hard to pin down
Warhammer is not one book series in the traditional sense. It is a shared fictional universe that has generated many separate publishing lines, often with overlapping characters, factions, and timelines.
Different Warhammer lines are counted differently
- Warhammer 40,000: the largest and best-known fiction line, with a very large novel catalog.
- Warhammer Age of Sigmar: a newer fantasy line with its own growing body of fiction.
- Warhammer Fantasy: the earlier fantasy setting, now largely replaced in fiction by Age of Sigmar, but still important historically.
- Anthologies and short fiction: many stories appear in collections rather than standalone novels.
- Series tie-ins: some books belong to long-running subseries, which can make counting by title or by volume tricky.
“Book” can mean several things
When readers ask about the total, they may mean full-length novels only, or they may also want novellas, audio dramas, and short-story collections. That difference alone can change the answer by a wide margin.
A practical breakdown for readers
If you want a usable estimate rather than an exact database count, it helps to think in layers. The fiction output is large enough that most readers will never need to read everything; instead, they usually choose a faction, a character arc, or a major series.
Warhammer 40,000
This is the biggest reservoir of Warhammer fiction. It includes major novel sequences, standalones, and event-driven series tied to the setting’s long history of war, empire, and decline.
For most readers, this is the branch that accounts for the majority of “Warhammer books” people mean in casual conversation.
Age of Sigmar
Age of Sigmar has built a substantial and expanding fiction catalog of its own. It is generally smaller than 40,000 in sheer volume, but it still offers many novels and series centered on gods, realms, and factional conflict.
Warhammer Fantasy
The older fantasy universe produced a significant body of fiction before the setting changed. These books remain relevant for readers interested in the franchise’s history, especially if they enjoy classic fantasy with a darker edge.
What kind of books are in the Warhammer universe?
Warhammer fiction is broad, but it tends to share a few recognizable forms. Most books are action-driven, yet many also explore politics, faith, corruption, loyalty, and survival under impossible pressure.
Novels
Full-length novels are the backbone of the franchise’s fiction. They often follow soldiers, inquisitors, space marines, rogue traders, necromancers, or other figures caught inside vast conflicts.
Series
Some of the most popular Warhammer books are part of long series. These are often the easiest way to get invested in a character or faction because they build momentum across multiple volumes.
Anthologies and short stories
Anthologies are common in Warhammer publishing. They can be a good entry point if you want to sample different authors, factions, and tones without committing to a long sequence.
Novellas and special releases
Shorter works often fill in gaps in a larger storyline or spotlight a single character. They can be especially useful for readers who want focused lore without the scale of a full novel.
How to choose a Warhammer reading path
Since the total number is so large, the best reading guide is one based on interest rather than chronology. Warhammer fiction is often more rewarding when you start with the corner of the universe that excites you most.
If you like military science fiction
Start with Warhammer 40,000. Its stories often emphasize war, hierarchy, and the grim scale of the setting, making it a natural fit for readers who enjoy battlefield fiction and dystopian worldbuilding.
If you like epic fantasy
Try Age of Sigmar or older Warhammer Fantasy fiction. These lines lean into gods, monsters, magic, and civilization under siege, while still keeping the franchise’s harsh tone.
If you want character-driven fiction
Look for books centered on a specific protagonist or faction. Warhammer’s best-known series often work well because they narrow the universe to a particular viewpoint, which makes the lore easier to absorb.
If you want the broadest entry point
Choose a standalone novel or a short anthology first. That lets you learn the tone of the universe before committing to a long series with deep continuity.
What makes Warhammer fiction distinctive?
Warhammer books are popular not just because there are many of them, but because they have a recognizable literary identity. Their style often combines pulp energy with bleak atmosphere and elaborate worldbuilding.
Recurring themes
- War and endurance: conflict is usually constant, not exceptional.
- Corruption and decay: institutions and ideals often erode under pressure.
- Faith and fanaticism: belief can be sustaining, dangerous, or both.
- Identity and loyalty: characters are often tested by duty to faction, empire, or cause.
- Scale versus individuality: the setting is enormous, but stories often focus on one person’s struggle to matter inside it.
Common narrative techniques
Warhammer fiction often uses close third-person narration, ensemble casts, and brisk pacing. Many books favor immediate stakes and vivid imagery over slow literary subtlety, though some titles do dig into psychological tension and moral ambiguity.
Worldbuilding as a literary feature
One reason the franchise has so many books is that its setting invites expansion. Authors can write about a single planet, a military campaign, a cult, a noble house, or a rogue expedition and still remain inside the same universe.
How the franchise grew so large
The size of the Warhammer library reflects decades of serialized publishing. As the tabletop games expanded, so did the fiction, with new books supporting new factions, campaigns, and major setting events.
That growth means the catalogue is not just long; it is layered. Older books may reflect earlier versions of the setting, while newer ones often build on updated lore and broader continuity.
Why this matters for readers
If you are new to the franchise, you do not need to read everything in order. In fact, trying to do so can be overwhelming. Most readers benefit from treating Warhammer like a large mythos rather than a single linear saga.
Best way to read Warhammer without getting lost
There is no universal “correct” order for all Warhammer books, but there are sensible ways to begin. The goal is to find a path that gives you context without burying you in continuity.
- Pick a setting — 40,000, Age of Sigmar, or classic Fantasy.
- Choose a faction or character — this keeps the scale manageable.
- Start with a well-known series or standalone — a focused entry point is easier than a massive crossover.
- Use anthologies to sample tone — short fiction can help you discover what you enjoy.
- Expand outward — once you know the corner of the universe you like, branch into related books.
What readers usually want to know next
When people ask how many Warhammer books there are, they often really want to know whether the series is approachable. The answer is yes, as long as you do not treat the entire franchise as one homework assignment.
Warhammer is best read selectively. A good entry book can give you the atmosphere, stakes, and style of the universe without requiring you to know the full publication history.
Quick answer for readers and collectors
How many Warhammer books are there? In practical terms, hundreds, with Warhammer 40,000 making up the largest share and Age of Sigmar and older Warhammer Fantasy adding many more. Because the franchise keeps expanding and “book” can mean different formats, the exact total changes over time.
If you want to keep exploring the franchise, you may also like this guide to how many Warhammer 40K books there are, or this related look at how many books Jane Austen wrote.